CHAPTER XLI

RINTOUL AND BABBIE— BREAKDOWN OF THE
DEFENCE OF THE MANSE

= OU dare to look me in the face!”

They were Rintoul’s words. Yet Babbie
had only ventured to look up because he was so
long in speaking. His voice was low, but harsh,
like a wheel on which the brake is pressed sharply.

“It seems to be more than the man is capable
of,” he added, sourly.

“Do you think,” Babbie exclaimed, taking
fire, “that he is afraid of you?”

“So it seems; but I will drag him into the
light, wherever he is skulking.”

Lord Rintoul strode to the door, and the brake
was off his tongue already.

“Go,” said Babbie, coldly, “and shout and
stamp through the house; you may succeed in
frightening the women, who are the only persons
In Ate

“ Where is he?”

“Fe has gone to the Spittal to see you.”

“ He knew I was on the hill.”

“He lost me in the darkness, and thought you
had run away with me in your trap.”

“Ha! So he is off to the Spittal to ask me
to give you back to him.”

“To compel you,” corrected Babbie.

408